Apparatus for sizing yarn



Jan. 31, 1961 G. L. BALL ETAL 2,

APPARATUS FOR SIZING YARN Filed April 4, 195a 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS:

GAINES L. BALL JACK HAMRICK ATTORNEY Jan. 31, 1961 G. L. BALL ETAL 2,969,579

APPARATUS FOR szzmc YARN 1 Filed April 4,1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 r k 1 4s i 64 '1 L 64 FIG. 3

INVENTORS GAINES L. BALL JACK HAMRICK ATTORNEY Jan. 31, 1961 G. L. BALL ETAL APPARATUS FOR SIZING YARN 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 4

ATTORNEY Jan. 31, 1961 v 5. L. BALL ETAL 2,969,579

APPARATUS FOR SIZING YARN Filed April 4. 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS. NES BALL CK HAMRICK BY:

ATTORNEY United States Patent iice APPARATUS FOR SIZING YARN Gaines L. Ball and Jack Hamrick, West Point, Ga., as-

signors to Batson-Cook Company, West Point, Ga., a

corporation of Georgia Filed Apr, 4, 1958, Ser. No. 726,445

Claims. (Cl. 2828) This invention relates to apparatus for sizing yarn, and is particularly concerned with a size box for yarn slashers by which suitable sizing liquid is applied to the yarn as it is fed into the drier of the slashers.

One problem which has been encountered in the design, construction and operation of size boxes for the sizing of yarn is that of quickly, conveniently and accurately training the yarn sheet in proper manner about the immersion and squeeze rolls of the size box. Another problem which presents considerable dfiiculty is that of providing adequate coating of the yarn with the size liquid and the removal of excess liquid. Other problems include that of providing pressures for excluding air before immersion for the extraction of excess liquid after immersion. It is also desirable to insure the main tenance of adequate temperatures within the size box together with the preclusion of the excess discharge of vapor which may contaminate the area about the slasher.

In the present invention, means are provided for insuring uniform and adequate coating of the yarn with size material without danger of loss of excessive quantities of size material and without danger of disturbing the fiber relationship. Prior procedures frequently resulted in non-uniformity of size between sides and fiber disturbance by the squeezing of the liquid size through the yarn because of prolonged contact of the yarn over a large area of the squeeze roller. By directing the yarn in a straight path to and from the nip formed between a squeeze roll and a size roll, such contact isavoided with its inherent ills. Since the yarn is in contact with the squeeze and size rolls only at the nip formed between such rolls, the straight line passage of the yarn to and from the nip precludes the danger of forcing size ma- .terial through the yarn and thus minimizes danger of separation of the yarn and the danger of the yarn twisting together. The squeeze roll and size roll of the present invention are preferably covered with resilient material and rotate on parallel aXes situated with such axes above the solution, preferably less than the roll radius, so as to dispose their lower faces below or near the surface of the size liquid. Such location defines a confined area below the nip between the rolls through which the yarn passes as it emerges in upward travel from the immersion roll. Since the upper edge of this area, which is generally triangular in cross section, is defined by the nip between the rolls, it will be seen that the area will be maintained as a relatively confined space of warm, moist atmosphere conductive to an effective and efficient maintenance of the size in uniform free flowing consistency. In that form of the present invention herein shown by way of illustration, the axes of the size roll and squeeze roll are in horizontal alignment, while the immersion roll is located therebelow on a parallel axis so disposed as to position its delivery surface in vertical parallel relation and hence tangential to the plane of the nip formed between the squeeze roll and size roll. By this arrzmge ment it will be seen that the travel of the yarn sheet from the immersion roll is in a vertical path between nip.

Patented Jan. 31, 1961 both the squeeze roll and size roll has been found to provide superior stripping action. A guide roll is disposed on an axis parallel with said aforementioned rolls and laterally placed so as to present its receiving surface, where the yarn first contacts, tangential to the same vertical plane which includes the nip between the squeeze roll and size roll and the delivery surface of the immersion roll. Thus not only does the yarn sheet travel vertically between the squeeze roll and size roll, but vertically through the warm, moist area or zone below the nip of the squeeze and size rolls. Such vertical travel permits any excess size liquid to pass downwardly in uniform manner on the opposite sides of the sheet to preclude excess material on either side. The warm, moist atmosphere of the confined space insures proper temperature to be maintained as the sheet leaves the liquid surface and enters the nip. Thus the stripping action takes place adjacent the liquid surface in a moist atmosphere substantially the temperature of the solution.

In carrying out the invention, a preferably insulated liquid tank is provided with means for vertically elevati; g the squeeze and immersion rolls to expose them for a convenient, free entrainment of the yarn sheet below them. A laterally retractable guide roll, normally dis- :posed above the squeeze roll, is provided to permit the vertical movement of the squeeze and immersion rolls while the guide roll may be retracted by manual means. Either or both of the squeezeand size rolls are covered with resilient materialso that the nip therebetween is roll, the nip between the squeeze roll and size roll, as

well as. the guide roll for receiving the dressed yarn, all with vertically aligned surfaces, to provide for the vertical planular movement of the yarn sheet from the im- -me'rsion roll to the receiving guide roll, it will be understood that the axes of the immersion roll and receiving guide roll may be offset from that here shown, and that the 'axes of the squeeze roll and size roll are not necessarily in a horizontal plane. However, it has been found that a straight path of travel, whether vertical or at an angle, for the passage of the sized material in substantially like contact with both the squeeze roll and size roll is effective in providing a uniform coating and precluding excessive loss of sizesolution or fiber distortion.

It is, therefore, among the objects of the present invention to provide a roll arrangement for a size box by which the yarn sheet can travel in a straight path to and from a nip formed between a squeeze roll and a size roll.

It is also an object of our invention to provide for rota tion of a squeeze roll and a companion size roll in a size box in such manner as to define therebelow a relatively confined area adjacent the surface of the liquid solution and extending to a nip formed between the squeeze roll and size roll to maintain a warm, moist atmosphere substantially at the temperature of the liquid solution through which the yarn passes before the removal of excess size by engagement of the yarn between the nip of such rolls.

It is further an object of the invention to provide a roll arrangement for size boxes by which the yarn will pass in a free path of travel from the nip formed between a size roll and a squeeze roll without contact of the yarn with the surface of either roll after delivery from said Also an object of the invention is to provide adevice vof the character .set forth which ,is simple and eifective in operation, readily adapted to a long life of useful operation, and well designed to meet the demands of econo rnicamanufacture.

Numerous .other objects, features and advantages of the .present invention will be found from consideration .of'zthe following specification taken in conjunction with :the. accompanying drawing, ;in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of .one embodiment of the :present invention. 7

:Fig. '2 is an enlarged front elevation with :portions shown broken awayand in cross section.

Fig. '3 isa top;plan view of that form of ,the invention showninFigsxl and :2 with portions :broken away and in .cross section.

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross sectional viewpof the apparatus with .certain rollslelevated :to :facilitate training of the yarn sheet into the apparatus.

Fig. 5 is .a .:detailed fragmentary side elevational view of the elevating mechanism shown inthe position indicated in Fig.4.

Fig-6 is 'a view similartoiFig. 4 showing the .rolls in the lowered position.

:Fig. 7 is a view similar :to Fig. 5 with the rolls in the position indicated in Fig. .6.

Fig. '8 is a side elevation of a modified form ofthe apparatus showing vthe tank broken away to disclose the application of an air expulsion roll.

Fig. 9 is a similar view of a further modification ofthe .invention.

Referring now to thedrawings, in that-embodiment of :the invention here shown by way of illustration, the apparatus is shown as including corner standards 10 between which are mounted transverse end plates 11. It will, of course, be understood that the location of the present apparatus with respect to the drier is in advance .of the supply of yarn thereto. The length of the rolls .of the present apparatus is in excess of the widthof any yarn sheet to be supplied to the drier, and commensurate with the Widthof a drierwith which it is to be associated.

ends 11. The size vat 12 is supported between the end members 11 upon-longitudinally extendingrails 14, the

upper edge of the size vat 12 being formed with outwardly extending longitudinal flanges -15 which engage over the top flange 16 of the rail to support the vat from the rails. For guiding a sheet -of-yarn to the size-vat, there is provided an input guide roll 20 mounted on a longitudinal shaft 22 supported at the outer edges ofthe end members 11. The yarn sheet indicated at 23 is adapted to pass over the freely rotating input roll 20 and-therefrom under a tension roll 24 mounted between brackets 25 supported as at 26 at the opposite'ends of the outer rail 14 which supports the vat 12. Rolls 20 and 24 are idler rolls whichmay freely rotate as the yarn sheet moves in contact therewith.

As indicated at 27 a steamheating coil may'be provided at the bottom of the vat to maintain a desired high temperature for the size liquid indicated at 28. As indi .cated at 29, 29' transverse slidable covers may be provided for .enclosing the vat during operation to limit the discharge of vapor and to retain the heatof the size fluid as applied to the coil 27.

from beneath :the tensionrolli24, the yarn sheet 23 moves forward to be trained over a feed roll 30 mounted on a longitudinally extending shaft 31, the opposite ends of which are provided with pinions 32. The teeth of the pinions 32 engage racks 33. The roll 30 is mounted for rotation on the shaft 31 whereby its rotation is independent of rotary and bodily movement of the shaft 31. Since the squeeze roll and the immersion roll are mounted for vertical movement upwardly from the confines of the vat, the feed roll 30 must be retracted to permit such vertical movement without conflict therewith. Lateral withdrawal of the feed roll 30 from the path of movement of the squeeze roll and immersion roll is provided by movement of .the gear 32in the rack 33. The outer terminal ends .of the shaft 31 are provided with hand wheels 34 by which the shaft 31 may be rotated independently of the roll 30 by the pinion 32 by engaging the rack 33 will provide a forward withdrawal movement of the roll 30 from its normal position, indicated in Figs. 6 and 7, to a full position as indicated in Figs. 4 and '5. It will, of course, benotedthat-the'shaft 31 adjacent the rack 32 is confined within .a driveslot 35 of a bracket 36 upon which therack 33 is formed. A top rail 37 permits free transverse movement but-precludes upward vertical movement by which the gear 32 would be disengaged from'the rack 33. By this arrangement, it will be seen that while roll 30 is freely rotatable to move with the yarn sheet '23, the axis of the roll '30 .may be shifted transversely of the apparatus against "the direction of sheet movement when it is desired to elevate the squeeze and immersion rolls for the original entrainment of the sheet and for such adjustment, repairs and inspection and the like as may be required.

In operative position, generally indicated in 'Fig. 6, ,the yarnssheet is led over the roll 30 in a return curve -to pass a squeeze roller .40 from which the sheet passes concerned with the straight line movement of the.yarn sheet from the immersion roll 41 through the nipbetween 'the squeeze roll 40 and size roll42, and thence in a continuation of .the same straight ,lineto the-guide roll .43. -While the objectivesof the present invention maybe generally achieved by such straight line movement other than vertical, the present invention contemplates vertical vmovement in such a straight line as preferable. Therefore, it will be noted that the peripheral face of the im- .mersion roll .41 is in vertical alignment with the nip =between the squeeze roll and size roll so as to be tangent 10.8 vertical ,plane passing therethrough, and that the .OPPosite peripheral .face of the guide roll 43 is in a like vertical and tangential alignment. Thus the sheet travels in a single straight verticalplane from the immersion roll 41 through the nip and to the guide roll 43. It will further be noted'that the axes of the squeeze roll 40 and size roll .42 are in the same horizontal "plane and that such axes are so located as to dispose the lower surfaces of such rolls slightly above or preferably below the surface of thesize solution. Thus there is provided, as indicated at 46 (Fig. 6) a longitudinal area of generally triangular cross section terminating at its apex ,in the nip between the squeeze roll and size roll. Since this area is longitudinally sealed at-its apex by .such nip, vand since the lowerperipheries of the squeeze and size rolls contact thesurface of the solution, thisspace defined loy .thesolutionsurface between the rolls, the periphery of the -rolls and the nip, constitutes an enclosure maintaining a moist atmosphere at a temperature approximately that of the solution itself. Since the yarn is traveling in a vertical straight line through the nip between the rolls, it will be seen that any excess solution squeezed from the yarn by its passage through the nip will stream downwardly uniformly over the outer surfaces of the sheet as the sheet moves upwardly to the nip, and no size will be squeezed through the yarn. During such travel in space 46 the moist high temperature will promote the uniformflow of material to preclude any areas of excess material. The maintenance of the material in a straight line path after leaving the nip, avoiding a continuing contact of the material with the size roll, precludes the deleterious effects which such contact might have as with respect to causing the yarn to separate or twist. Such immediate free vertical passage of the yarn from the nip to the roll 43 also provides for a uniform exposure of both sides of the yarn to the atmosphere so that such vaporization of the size as may take place will be equal on both sides of the sheet.

As hereinbefore indicated, the present invention provides for the vertical movement of the combined squeeze roll and immersion roll assembly. For. this purpose there is mounted at eachend of vat 12 the vertically movable standards 50 to which the outwardly extending terminal ends 51 of the shaft 52 of the roll 40 are mounted. For elevating the standards 50, fluid cylinders 53 are provided, the piston rods 54 of which are engaged at 55 with elevating links 56 pivotally mounted at 57 with the standards 50 and limited in their clockwise rotational movement by stop pins 58. Recesses 59 formed at the lower ends of the links 56 extend on either side of the stop pins 58 to permit limited pivotal movement of the bracket on its bearing pin 57. Thus in the vertical movement of the squeeze roller 40, a lateral movement as an incident to such vertical movement, so that in its fully downward position roll 40 will press toward the squeeze roller 42 to strip excess size fluid from the sheet, the squeeze roll 40 is supported by brackets 61, the upper ends of which are pivotally engaged as at 57 with the standards 50. Restriction in pivotal movement between the standard and the brackets is insured by the provision of a stop pin 58 formed on the inner face of the standards 50.

Registration of movement of standards 50 is provided by rack teeth 66 which engage pinions 67 on a transverse shaft 68, the engagement being such that as one standard' is moved its rack will rotate its pinion to rotate shaft 68, thus insuring a like vertical movement of the oppo- 'site standard even though discrepancies in the pressure applied to the parallel cylinders 53 may occur. It will be noted that the walls adjacent the standards 50 are cut away as indicatedat 69 to permit an entrance and withdrawal of the roller 40 and shafts carried by the standards.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention provides a novel and improved size vat structure by which the squeeze and immersion rolls may be conveniently elevated under power to position them 'above the vat so as to facilitate the training therethrough of the yarn sheet to be treated and to expose the rolls for inspection, adjusting, cleaning and the like. It will also be noted that the invention provides for the retraction of the guide roll so as to permit the free vertical movement of the squeeze roll. Furthermore, as an incident to the lowering'of the squeeze and immersion rolls, the power mechanism applies an inwardly directed thrust of the squeeze roll in the direction of size roll so as to insure adequate tension whereby the nip therebetween will strip from the immersed sheet any exess. size material.

It will further be seen that the primary objectives of the invention are carried out by the foregoing mechanism in that the path of travel of the yarn sheet from the immersion roll is in a straight line to and from the nip formed between the squeeze roll and size roll, whereby contact of such material with either roll is a straight line contact, there being no continuing. contact of the-ma; terial with either roll, to avoid any tendency toward squeezing solution from one side through the sheet" It will also be noted that below the nip between the squeeze roll and size roll a relatively confined area of moist atmosphere at a temperature substantially that of the size solution is maintained to preclude inadvertent cooling of the applied solution at individual areas of the sheet. Furthermore, since the movement is vertical it will be seen that surplus material removed from the sheet as it passes through the nip flows downwardly and equally on the two sides of the sheet, while the temperature of the solution is maintained to promote free flow. It will also be noted that as the sheet leaves the nip in its vertical straight line travel both sides are equally exposed to the atmosphere and a uniform setting of the size material is insured.

In the practice of the invention, it will of course be understood that the specific details of construction and arrangement as here presented in Figs. 1 to 7 are by way of illustration and that the invention is not confined or limited thereto. Therefore, it is within the scope of the present invention to provide for a preliminary compression of the yarn sheet prior to complete immersion thereof so that such compression may drive from the sheet such clinging atmosphere as to inhibit the proper coating of the yarn by the size solution. Thus, by reference of Fig. 8, it will be seen that in addition to the general arrangement hereinbefore described, there is further provided a compression roll mounted on an arm pivotally secured as 82 to the forward edge of the size vat with a forwardly extending arm 83 urged downwardly by a contractual spring 84 secured as at 85 through a fixed element projecting from the forward side of the tank. This arrangement is such that' under the influence of spring 84, the surface. of the roll 80 will be directed against the periphery of the squeeze roll 40 in such manner as to compress the yarn sheet before it engages the immersion roll and as it is being immersed in the sizing material so that at this point occluded gases are driven from the yarns of the sheet to permit their subsequent expansion and absorption of sizing material.

By referring to Fig. 9, it will be seen that the yarn sheet may be tensioned and drawn in by the feed roll to relieve strain in travel through the vat. Thus, by forming the feed roll of such diameter that in its normal position above the squeeze roll 91 it will form a nip therebetween through which the yarn sheet will be compressed above the level of the size fluid, thus to draw in the sheet'of yarn to enter the size fluid and pass to the immersion roll without strain. I

It will be noted in the modifications of Figs. 8 and 9 that the primary concern of the invention in providing for a straight path of travel of the sheet to and from the nip is carried out. Thus, in the manner hereinbefore set forth, a confined, moist zone of substantially the same temperature as that of the solution is provided below the nip, and the yarn passes to and from the nip in free straight line movement without further contact with either of the rolls.

It will thus be seen that the present invention includes in its construction not only means for retracting a roll to permit vertical movement of otherwise normally enclosed rolls to facilitate the operation of the machine,

but such arrangement may provide for the inclusion of 7 "or confined to the specific structural details herein set forth and that in the practice of the invention numerous changes, modifications and the full use of the equivalents may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A size box for slashers including in combination, a squeeze roll, a size roll disposed on an axis parallel to the axis of said squeeze roll, said axes being spaced to form a nip between said rolls, and means for passing yarn through said nip in a straight path of travel in free upward flight tangentially to and from said nip, said means including spaced surfaces on opposite sides of said nip, each lying in a common plane passing through said nip, said means including an immersion roll underlying said squeeze roll and having a periphery tangential to a plane passing through said nip, and a guide roll overlying said size roll and having a periphery tangential to said plane passing through said nip.

2. A size roll for slashers including in combination, a squeeze roll, a size roll disposed on an axis parallel to the axis of said squeeze roll, said axes being spaced to form a nip between said rolls, and means for passing yarn through said nip in a straight path of travel in free upward flight tangentially to and from said nip, said means including an immersion roll mounted parallel to and underlying said squeeze roll and having a peripheral yarn discharge area tangential to one side of a plane passing vertically through said nip, and a receiving guide roll mounted parallel to and overlying said size roll and having a peripheral yarn receiving area tangential to the opposite side of said plane passing vertically through said nip.

3. In a size box for yarn slashers adapted to contain a supply of size solution, a squeeze roll mounted on an axis, a size roll mounted on an axis parallel to the axis of said squeeze roll, size solution partially filling said box, said axes being spaced'to provide a nip between the surfaces of said rolls and being located above the size solution in said box a distance not substantially greater than the smallest radius of said rolls to' form a relatively confined space below said nip and above the solution, and means for passing yarn through said space in free upward flight to said nip so as to contact said size roll and said squeeze roll substantially simultaneously. V

4. In a size box for yarn slashers adapted to contain a supply of size solution, a squeeze roll mounted on an axis, a size roll mounted on an axis parallel to the axis of said squeeze roll, size solution partially filling said box, said axes being spaced to provide a nip between the surfaces of said rolls and being located above the size solution in said box a distance less than the radius of each of said rolls so that said rolls engage the solution to form a relatively confined chamber below said nip 'and above the solution, and means for passing yarn in free upward flight through said space in a straight path tangential to said nip.

5. In a size box for yarn slashers adapted to contain a supply of size solution, a squeeze roll mounted on an axis, a size roll mounted on an axis parallel to the axis of said squeeze roll, size solution partially filling said box, said axes being spaced to provide a nip between the surfaces of said rolls and being located above the size solutions in said box a distance less than the radius of each of said rolls so that said rolls engage the solution to form a relatively confined chamber below said nip and above the solution, and means for passing yarn vertically through the center of said chamber to said nip.

6.1a agsize box for yarn slashers, a squeeze roll mounted on an axis, a size roll mounted on an axis parallel to the axis of said squeeze roll, said axes being spaced-to provide a hip between the surfaces of said rolls and beinglocated at the same level above the surface level of size solution in said'box a distance less than the radius of each of said rolls so that said rolls will engage the solution surface to form a relatively confined space below said nip and above the solution surface, and means for passing yarn vertically through said space to said nip and vertically from said nip without further contact with said rolls.

7. in a size box for yarn slashers containing a size solution, a pair of rolls forming a nip through which yarn is passed after immersion in the solution, and means for leading yarn in free flight in said solution along a path tangential to said nip and thence from said solution to said nip along a straight line continuation of said path tangential to said nip.

8. In a size box for yarn slashers adapted to contain a size solution, the combination of a squeeze roll and a size roll arranged to form a nip through which yarn passes, the axes of said rolls being disposed above the solution so that the lower peripheries of said rolls are substantially in contact with said solution to form a substantially confined zone below said nip and above said solution, an immersion roll normally located within said solution below said zone for delivering yarn in free flight through said solution and said zone tangentially to said nip, and a guide roll above said nip for taking yarn tangent-ially from said nip.

9. In a size boxtor yarn slashers adapted to contain a size solution, the combination of a squeeze roll and a size roll arranged to form a nip through which yarn passes, the axes of said rolls being disposed above the solution so that the lower peripheries of said rolls are in contact with said solution to form a substantially confined zone below said nip'and above said solution, an immersion roll normally located within said solution below said zone for delivering yarn in free flight through said solution and said zone to said nip, and a guide roll above said nip for taking yarn tangentially from said nip, said immersion roll being disposed below said squeeze roll with its periphery tangential to a vertical plane passing through said hip.

10. In a size box for yarn slashers adapted to contain a size solution, the combination of a squeeze roll and a size roll arranged to form a nip through which yarn passes, the axes of said rolls being disposed above the solution, the lower peripheries of said rolls being in contact with said solution to form a substantially confined zone below said nip and above said solution. an immersion roll normally located within said solution below said zone for delivering yarn in free fiight through said solution and said zone to said nip so as to contact said squeeze roll and said size roll substantially simultaneously, and a guide roll above said nip for receiving yarn from said nip, said guide roll being disposed above said size roll with its periphery tangenial to a vertical plane passing through said nip.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 972,760 Fredenburgh Oct. ll, 1910 1,822,425 Sussmuth Sept. 8, 1931 2,637,892 Rockoif' May I2, 1953 2,698,984 Griffin Jan. 11, 1955 2,763,912 Gritfin Sept. 25, 1956 2,794,236 Griflin June 4, 1957 

